Plantar arch

About: Plantar arch is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 203 publications have been published within this topic receiving 2491 citations. The topic is also known as: deep plantar arch.

The feet of overweight and obese young children: are they flat or fat?

Abstract: Objective The purpose of this study was to determine whether the flat feet displayed by young obese and overweight children are attributable to the presence of a thicker midfoot plantar fat pad or a lowering of the longitudinal arch relative to that in non-overweight children. Research methods and procedures Foot anthropometry, an arch index derived from plantar footprints, and midfoot plantar fat pad thickness measured by ultrasound were obtained for 19 overweight/obese preschool children (mean age, 4.3 +/- 0.9 years; mean height, 1.07 +/- 0.1 m; mean BMI, 18.6 +/- 1.2 kg/m(2)) and 19 non-overweight children matched for age, height, and sex (mean age, 4.3 +/- 0.7 years; mean height, 1.05 +/- 0.1 m; mean BMI, 15.7 +/- 0.7 kg/m(2)). Results Independent t tests revealed no significant between-subject group differences (p = 0.39) in the thickness of the midfoot plantar fat pad. However, the overweight/obese children had a significantly lower plantar arch height (0.9 +/- 0.3 cm) than their non-overweight counterparts (1.1 +/- 0.2 cm; p = 0.04). Discussion The lower plantar arch height found in the overweight/obese children suggests that the flatter feet characteristic of overweight/obese preschool children may be caused by structural changes in their foot anatomy. It is postulated that these structural changes, which may adversely affect the functional capacity of the medial longitudinal arch, might be exacerbated if excess weight bearing continues throughout childhood and into adulthood.

Realignment and Extended Fusion with Use of a Medial Column Screw for Midfoot Deformities Secondary to Diabetic Neuropathy

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The failure of nonsurgical treatment of patients with midfoot and hindfoot deformity secondary to diabetic Charcot arthropathy may lead to a rocker-bottom foot deformity with recurrent or persistent plantar ulceration. We report our experience with realignment and extended fusion with primary use of a medial column screw for this midfoot deformity. METHODS: From July 2001 through July 2005, we performed reconstructive surgery on fifteen adults with diabetes mellitus who had a severe neuropathic midfoot deformity consisting of a collapsed plantar arch with a rocker-bottom foot deformity. Thirteen had a nonhealing midfoot plantar ulcer. All underwent realignment and arthrodesis with a medial column screw; some required additional fixation techniques depending on the extent of the deformity. Outcome measures included ulcer and surgical wound-healing, radiographic results, complications, and the need for amputation. RESULTS: The mean duration of clinical follow-up was forty-two months. Fourteen patients were able to walk, and there were no recurrent plantar ulcers. Thirteen patients were able to wear custom-made extra-depth, wide-toed shoes with molded inserts. One patient without prior ulceration had development of a deep infection that necessitated an amputation. Four feet had a nonunion, one of which was symptomatic requiring a revision to obtain union. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical reconstruction of a collapsed neuropathic foot deformity is technically demanding, but a successful outcome can result in a plantigrade foot that is free of ulceration and abnormal pressure points and a patient who is able to walk. The procedure described has an acceptable degree of complications although it has a high rate of nonunion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. ORIGINAL ABSTRACT CITATION: “Realignment and Extended Fusion with Use of a Medial Column Screw for Midfoot Deformities Secondary to Diabetic Neuropathy” (2009;91:812-20).

Quantitative comparison of plantar foot shapes under different weight-bearing conditions

Abstract: Knowledge of the plantar foot shape alteration under weight bearing can offer implications for the design and construction of a comfortable and functional foot support. The purpose of this study was to quantify the change in three-dimensional foot shape under different weight-bearing conditions. The plantar foot shapes of 16 normal feet were collected by an impression casting method under three weight-bearing conditions: non-weight bearing, semi-weight bearing, and full-weight bearing. An optical digitizing system was used to capture the three-dimensional plantar surface shape of the foot cast. Measurements and comparisons from the digitized shapes were conducted for the whole foot and regions of the foot. The data showed that increased weight bearing significantly increased the contact area, foot length, foot width, and rearfoot width, while it decreased average height, arch height, and arch angle. Compared with the non-weight-bearing foot shape, the semi-weight-bearing condition would produce increases in the contact area of 35.1% +/- 21.6 %, foot length of 2.7% +/- 1.2%, foot width of 2.9% +/- 2.4%, and rearfoot width of 5.9% +/- 4.8%, and decreases in the arch height of 15.4% +/- 7.8% and arch angle of 21.7% +/- 17.2%. The full-weight-bearing condition would produce increases in the contact area of 60.4% +/- 33.2%, foot length of 3.4% +/- 1.3%, foot width of 6.0% +/- 2.1%, and rearfoot width of 8.7% +/- 4.9%, and decreases in the arch height of 20.0% +/- 9.2% and arch angle of 41.2% +/- 16.2%. The findings may be useful for considering the change of foot shape in the selection of shoe size and shoe or insole design.